Stepping and Stabilizing Structure

ABSTRACT

A novel form of stepping structure designed to provide a multi-functional platform supporting user workout in various ways, The platform can be laid on the ground in straight manner for stepping exercise and can be used in a standing position for balancing support and hand/arms exercises.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the xeroxographic reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention is related with the field of exercise and workout. More particularly, the invention relates to and pertains particularly to an improved stepping structure for cardio exercises.

Description of the Related Art

The health benefits of physical exercise are widely known. It is known in aerobic or cardio exercising to use a conditioning program based on stair climbing to develop, simultaneously, strength and improved cardiovascular endurance. For instance, during a 60-minute aerobic workout, the participant may, using optional hand-held weights, climb on and off platforms that are available at a number of different heights. Such stepping sessions may last for from five to twenty-five minutes per period during such workouts and are combined with traditional aerobic movements.

By looking at prior art, multiple advancements have been seen in similar regards. Exercising devices of the same general type as provided in accordance with the instant invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 330,057; 3,641,601; 4,253,661; 5,050,861; 5,116,044; 5,125,646; 5,125,647; and 5,118,096.

In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 330,057 (Oct. 6, 1992), Saunders et al. disclose an aerobic step bench design. No explanation is given for the use of the same, and it appears that the design consists of a single bench having a single supporting surface.

William F. Sieg reveals in U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,601 (Feb. 15, 1972) an exercising device usable to simulate walking and the like. The device has a base which carries a pad of elastic compressible material, and the pad has a longitudinal slot along the top dividing the pad into separate upwardly extended sections. No adjustment is provided with respect to the resulting surfaces.

Brian Russell reveals in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,661 (Mar. 3, 1981) a thick, flexible pad with a sloped top surface and sloped sides which provides for leg exercises involving running, squatting, and so forth.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,861, Laurie Thomas discloses an adjustable bench-step for use in exercising. This device is provided with an upper platform which is insertable into a base with the upper platform being adjustable vertically and being approachable from any horizontal axis. This device does not actually show adjustable steps as will be disclosed in connection with the instant invention hereinbelow.

W. Wilkinson reveals in U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,044 an aerobic climbing step-bench. This device includes a base consisting of a horizontal platform with a plurality of spaced legs mounted on the base to support the same. Each of the legs is detachably mounted so as to be movable from an active position to a stored condition. This device similarly fails to reveal adjustable steps as will be found in connection with the instant application.

W. Wilkinson furthermore reveals in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,646 another aerobic step/bench exercise device which includes a base supported on a plurality of spaced legs and arranged such that the platform is capable of being disposed at a plurality of elevations. Aside from this adjustment of elevations, no provision is made for adjustments of related steps.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,647, Robert Smith shows a jump platform exerciser in which a cantilever type platform is monitored electronically for the counting of pulses. By such means, a signal results representing a number of pulses emitted from a clock corresponding to a timing period. No adjustment of steps is provided by this patent.

W. Wilkinson shows furthermore in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,096 an aerobic climbing step/bench in which a platform is supported by a plurality of detachable legs. This provides for adjusting the overall height of the platform but does not provide for adjusting of steps in the manner which will be described hereinbelow.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,101, Raymond Belli shows a plyometric platform in which adjustment is provided to a plurality of positions thereby providing for the adjustment of steps, but this adjustment is wholly unlike the adjustment provided for in accordance with the present invention, as will be discussed in detail hereinbelow.

Typically, a stepping structure for cardio exercises comprising of a platform upon which the participant places his or her feet, and when the structure is stood up on end at its highest height the participant places his or her hands on the structure as a stabilizer to preform additional exercises.

The current invention proposes a unique design which features a standalone way of supporting, collating, handling, facilitating, and directing individuals while doing exercise. This revolutionary approach marks a major step toward the goal of creating an equipment which is suitable for every user.

The present invention provides a unitary, cardio exercise structure with a versatile platform that can be laid flat on the ground for stepping up and down and stood up on end for support while performing exercises that require additional balancing support. None of the previous inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Hence, the inventor of the present invention proposes to resolve and surmount existent technical difficulties to eliminate the aforementioned shortcomings of prior art.

SUMMARY

In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

The primary object of the invention is related to an advancement in offering enhanced design of a stepping structure for cardio exercises

It is further the objective of the invention to provide a cardio exercise structure with a versatile platform that can be laid flat on the ground for stepping up and down and stood up on end for support while performing exercises that require additional balancing support.

It is moreover the objective of the invention to provide a structure which can be used as a portable, comprehensive fitness solution.

It is also the objective of the invention to provide a structure which transitions easily and can be used within variable forms of fitness training.

It still another object of the invention to provide an improved means and method for the exercise of various muscles of the human physique.

This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of a participant being supported with the platform stood up on end.

FIG. 5 is a view of a participant doing a cardio exercise stepping up.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring to the FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes generally the first embodiment of the stepping structure which comprises a platform, rectangular in shape and includes a top, stepping surface 2. The surface 2 preferably a ¼″ thick non-slip material thereon. The dimensions of a typical platform are 36″×16″×5″.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings it demonstrates how the participant will use the platform as a stabilizer by standing the platform on end.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings it demonstrates how the participant will use the platform to step up and down by laying the platform on the ground.

The platform section is generally rectangular in shape with a top, stepping surface having a non-slip, textured coating thereon.

The above-described support elements 1 and the structural means employed to allow them to be stackable in vertical alignment.

The structures 1 is used to elevate the heart rate of the participant. By using various elements in conjunction with an instructor or video cassette, the participant achieves a high intensity, low impact workout within their target heart range.

While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 

1: An adjustable stepping structure for aerobics and cardio exercises, comprising: (a) a platform section having a top stepping surface for receiving thereon the feet of the participant and a shaped underside surface opposite said stepping surface; and (b) means for elevating said platform can be used vertically to support variety of exercises and balancing fitness activities.
 2. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said platform section is rectangular;
 3. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said platform has equal dimensions;
 4. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said platform has a substantially flat top stepping surface for receiving thereon the feet of the participant;
 5. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said platform section having substantially flat sides for receiving thereon the hand of the participant to be used as a stabilizer.
 6. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform section is contoured about its periphery so it is flush and wherein said top stepping surface includes means for preventing slippage of the feet of the participant;
 7. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform sections edges are beveled one half inch to reduce the square edges; and;
 8. A stepping structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform includes a skid-resistant bottom surface section. 